WELLINGTON.

New Zealand Illustrated Sporting & Dramatic Review, 1 August 1912, Page 11

WELLINGTON.

(From Our Own Correspondent.) WELLINGTON, Monday. A large number of North Island! horses that were competing at Trentham were sent through to Lyttelton en route to Riccarton last week to be prepared for their C.J.C. contests. With such a formidable array of talent engaged the bulk of the stake money at the National meeting should certainly, find its way to this side of Cook Strait. J. Rae entertains hopes of La Reina running with some success at Riccarton. In a conversation prior to leaving here, Rae mentioned that the mare was very fit and the going at Ricarton should suit her admirably. The local sportsman, Mr H. Whitney, will be represented at the C.J.C. meeting with Aema, Mount Victoria and Odessa. The trio are getting through a capital preparation under C. Pritchard’s guidance at Trentham. “Charlie” will hand over Mr Whitney’s team to J. Scott at the conclusion of the Grand National meeting. The Palmerston North trainer, S. W. Tatham, is at present seriously ill with pneumonia and pleurisy, and has been obliged to go into a private hosptal. During his illness Captain and other horses in the stable are being looked after by J. Driscoll. Owing to the heavy going at Trentham, the Ellerslie-trained Icel did not start in -the Trial Plate. The half-brother to Convoy will compete in hunters’ events at the Grand National meeting. The Soult-Sprite colt Shuja, who won the Winter Oats at the recent W.R.C. meeting, was shipped to Sydney on Friday last in charge of his

trainer, R. Johnson. Shuja is engaged in the Epsom and Metropolitan Handicap at the A. J.C. Spring meeting in which he has been handicapped to carry 7.6 and 6.11 respectively. He has been a source of anxiety to his trainer for some time past owing to developing soreness, but as the ailment has disappeared there seems every probability of the horse proving very useful in his Australian contests. His appearance at Randwick will be awaited with interest. The Otaki Maori Racing Club have selected the dates September 23rd and 24th for their Spring meeting. £ISOO will be distributed in stakes during the two days. Trainers at Trentham are experiencing a rough time through the continued wet weather and, as a consequence their charges are somewhat backward. A large nmber of horses are being worked on the sand gallop which is in fairly good order, whilst the grass tracks are too' sodden to be used. Sea Queen and Mira, both of whom are destined to assist at the C.J.C. winter meeting, are acquitting themselves well at Trentham. Both animals are on the improve and their respective trainers (H. Kingan and J. W. Lowe) make no secret of the fact that they expect their charges to make a bold showing at Riccarton. Glenmore, Nescot, and Waterworks will represent the Turakina sportsman, Mr H. J. Cameron, at the Grand National Meeting. The trio named are receiving a thorough preparation at the hands of T. Lloyd at Marton and there seems every prospect of the team paying expenses on their Southern visit. The Rover continues to train on satisfactorily at Foxton. The son of Advance and Polly Perkins will have hosts of admirers in his C.J.C. engagements. The Elevation —Sunfish gelding Elevator is fast getting into form under his owner-trainer, J. Cress’, guidance at Trentham. Judging by the manner in which he skips over the ground the youngster should be seen in a favourable light very early in the new season. The Otaki trainer, F. Higgott, is taking Ladrone, Serenity, and Brown Trout to Riccarton. The horses named are well forward in condition and are sure to run well. A. Olliver will probably ride Serenity whilst R. Hatch will pilot Ladrone in their Winter Cup contests. Of the youngsters in work at Porirua under J. H. Prosser’s guidance nothing is pleasing him better than the Achilles —Shannon colt, who belongs to Mr J. R. McDonald, of Levin. The juvenile is solidly put together and being possessed of galloping ability is sure to be seen under favourable auspices next season. Hawick continues to train on satisfactorily at Porirua. Being a safe conveyance over country with some pace as well, Mr Noel Wilson’s ’chaser should run prominently during his visit to the C.J.C. meeting. Serenity, who was recently operated upon for throat troubles by the local veterinary surgeon, Mr F. Crossley, has improved out of all know-

ledge, and the fact of A. Oliver having been engaged to ride the gelding in the Winter Cup, will cause the son of Handsome Jack and Lake Placid to be well fancied in his Riccarton contest. In a gallop at Otaki on Thursday last with Undecided, Ladrone and Brown Trout, Serenity simply ran away from his stable mates, serenity is owned by Mr F. Preston of Equitas fame, who is at present a resident of Hunterville. C. Pritchard has purchased five acres of ground in close proximity to the W.R.C. racecourse at Trentham, on which he will erect a residence and an up-to-date training establishment. Pritchard has been promised plenty of support, and being careful and capable, his boxes when completed should soon be fully tenanted. At present he has Gold Bird, Knutsford and Gay Lawless and Mr Whitney’s horses in work. The Mapawatu Hunt Club will hold a meeting at Awapuni on Wednesday of next week. Messrs J. R. McDonald (Levin) and W. G. Shannon (Feilding) have donated cups, and there is every prospect of an enjoyable gathering of hunting enthusiasts. Mr W. E. Bidwill, who for some years has been vice-president of the Wairarapa Racing Club has been elected president in succession to Mr H. S. Wardell, who died in Wellington recently, Speaking of Mr Bidwell reminds me that his private trainer, J. Farmer, has some promising juveniles in work at Rototawai in preparation for next season. With the splendid private racecourse and appointements appertaining at Rototawai, Mr Bidwill’s team have every chance of getting fit under very comfortable circumstances.